Today is Monday, Nov. 3, the 307th day of 2003. There are 58 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Monday, Nov. 3, the 307th day of 2003. There are 58 days left in the year. On this date in 1957, the Soviet Union launches Sputnik II, the second manmade satellite, into orbit; on board is a dog named "Laika," who is sacrificed in the experiment.
In 1868, Republican Ulysses S. Grant wins the presidential election over Democrat Horatio Seymour. In 1896, Republican William McKinley defeats Democrat William Jennings Bryan for the presidency. In 1900, the first automobile show in the United States opens at New York's Madison Square Garden under the auspices of the Automobile Club of America. In 1903, Panama proclaims its independence from Colombia. In 1908, Republican William Howard Taft is elected president, outpolling William Jennings Bryan. In 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt wins a landslide election victory over Republican challenger Alfred M. "Alf" Landon. In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson soundly defeats Republican challenger Barry Goldwater to win a White House term in his own right. In 1970, Salvador Allende is inaugurated as president of Chile.
November 3, 1978: Two fires send flames soaring 75 feet in the air and tie up most of New Castle's fire department for most of the morning. Both fires were arson.
The Ohio Rail Transportation Authority is opening an 18-month assessment of a high-speed railroad passenger link for Youngstown and three other corridors in the state.
The second-half Vindicator straw poll indicates that Trumbull County Commissioner Lyle Williams, Republican, will beat incumbent Democrat Charles J. Carney for the 19th District congressional seat.
November 3, 1963: A Vindicator straw poll indicates that Youngstown will have the closest election for mayor since the Ralph W. O'Neill-Arthur H. Williams race, which Democrat O'Neill won by eight votes after a recount.
More than 100,000 Mahoning County citizens are expected to vote in municipal, township and school district elections.
An armed bandit wearing a bearded Halloween mask holds up the M.F. Gerak Jewelry store at 1610 Mahoning Ave., escaping with $195 after pistol-whipping the owner.
November 3, 1953: About 35,000 Mahoning County electors vote by noon, with the total expected by day's end to hit 90,000.
Sharon Steel Corp. will build a $16.5 million byproducts coke plant at its Roemer Works in Farrell as part of the company's five-year development program.
The 24 priests who have died since the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown was established in 1943 are remembered during a high Mass celebrated by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh. The bishop also dedicated a marble altar at Calvary Cemetery, which will contain the tomb of Bishop James A. McFadden.
November 3, 1928: Former Supreme Court Justice John H. Clarke, now of Cleveland but formerly of Youngstown, will be the Armistice Day speaker at the B.F. Keith Palace Theater in Youngstown.
Fred LaBelle, secretary of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce, says that for a while wholesale distributors of obscene magazines were on their best behavior, but smut is creeping back onto newstands.